He could have sold that account for big bucks. 
Still wont get back the wasted hours of his life.
But the money will pay off a bit of it... I know this is a slightly stupid example, but it is slightly like him getting a job, (I know WoW does not sell for as much as yet get for actually working) and it is his payday when he sells it... Again, I know he could get 10x as much money but atleast he has fun while getting it...
